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Things Every Marijuana Patient Should Know

 

History:

 

From 1850 to 1937 cannabis was used as the prime medicine for more than 100 separate illnesses or diseases in the US pharmacopoeia. Marijuana is mentioned seven times in the bible as Kaneh Bosm.  Egyptians used it as medicine. Native Americans referred to it as the “miracle plant.”

 

Discoveries “What’s Old is New Again”

In the early 90’s anandamide was discovered. Anandamide is an endocannabinoid. Endocannabinoids are produced by our body. Phytocannabinoids come from plants. Anandamide is the equivalent of THC which is produced in marijuana. A “runner’s high” is anandamide influencing receptors found in the brain. Researchers sought to find the purpose of anandamide and soon discovered the endocannabinoid system, an abundant series of receptors found in all mammals. The endocannabinoid system is the primary homeostatic regulatory system of our body.  This explains why marijuana is effective on such a broad range of conditions. Many functions in our bodies are controlled by the endocannabinoid system. Appetite, memory, sleep, mood, pain sensation, and the immune system, are all influenced by the endocannabinoid system. Even breast milk contains cannabinoids.

 

Lingo

Marijuana, cannabis and “marihuana” are all the same. You will see the words used interchangeably. Strain - Different varieties of marijuana. Breeders commonly introduce new strains (or varieties). Most every strain is a hybrid, which is a cross of indica and sativa. Marijuana is estimated to have thousands of strains. Sativa strains are tall slender plants with longer leaves. Indica plants are shorter, bushier, plants with wide leaves. It is said, sativa plants offer a daytime, thought provoking, energetic effect. While indica plants offer a “couch lock”, relaxing, sedating effect.  Recently researchers are convinced that sativa and indica is merely the physical characteristics of the plant and does not influence the effect. Yet Indica and sativa effects are often labeled in dispensaries and budtenders continue with the explanation of indica and sativa influences. The effect depends on the person, as well as the other compounds in the plant. And even can depend on other foods you have consumed. Patients should focus on the strain, and not the indica and sativa labeling. Terpenes also influence the effect. Terpenes are the aromatic and flavorful component of plant essential oils. One terpene “myrcene” is also found in mango. If you eat a mango about an hour before you use marijuana it will increase the potency of the marijuana. Terpenes can also mitigate or block the potency. Linalool, found in lavender is calming.  Linalool is also found in some strains of marijuana.


 

CBD and THC

 

There are approximately 144 cannabinoids in marijuana. THC and CBD are the two most studied. All cannabinoids have a medical effect. All research has shown they work better together in what is referred to as the “entourage effect”.  This is why CBD purchased over the counter is truly limited in its effectiveness. CBD is just one cannabinoid. When used as a “whole medicine” it is much more effective. A good comparison is “whole food” vs. processed food. CBD isolated from the other compounds is not nearly as effective as the whole plant extracts or whole plant. Freshly harvested marijuana provides CBDA and THCA which do not result in the “high”, however are very potent anti-inflammatories and antioxidants. Many patients juice fresh from the garden marijuana in states where they have the right to grow their own. Juicing provides powerful medicine, without the high. Hopefully one day Florida patients will have the ability to grow marijuana for their own personal use as they do in other states to reap the full benefits of the fresh plant.

 

Author - Julie Anderson

CMMDR.com Founder, Researcher

Cannabis Nation News - Researcher / Producer / Co-host

Mile High Medical Cannabis Dispensary - Prior Co-Owner